The new cathedral was officially blessed and the Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary (SMSM sisters) are celebrating 150 years of service in Samoa.

Past pupils came from around the world to participate in yesterday's Independence Day parade.

The history of the S.M.S.M dates back to 1864 in June when two French nuns, Sister M de la Merci and Sr. Rose arrived in Samoa on 6 June and started a school in Savalalo.

The school started with only 12 girls but it now has a roll of more than six hundred students.

In 1923, the SMSM sisters started the secondary school at Savalalo as a business and commercial school. It was the first school in the country that had a class above form 2.

The celebrations also saw a service at the newly-built Catholic cathedral at Mulivai, where the Ola Toe Fuata'ina choir from Tafaigata prison sang.

The cathedral was officially opened on Saturday. The Masiofo, Her Highness Filifilia Tamasese was given the honour of cutting the ribbon.

Leading carpenter, Father Ricky Bernard then presented the keys to Archbishop Alapati Lui Mataeliga, whom in return thanked him for the magnificent project.

Source

• Radio New Zealand International
• Samoa Observer
• Samoa Observer
• Samoa Observer
• Image: Facebook

Chairman of the National Council of Churches, Catholic Deacon Kasiano Le'aupepe, who led the service, called on the leaders of Samoa to take out a new leaf in the performance of their service to the country.

Source

• The Samoa Observer
• Image: The Samoa Observer